Whether you’re in a high-rise strata, a cosy townhouse complex, or a sprawling community title estate, the AGM is more than just a legal hoop to jump through it’s the big decision-making day for your scheme.

Changing managers can feel like a big task, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. With good planning and cooperation, the transition can be smooth and beneficial for the community.

Living in a two-lot strata scheme can be simple until you hit a roadblock trying to make a decision. The good news? With a little planning and good communication, it’s possible to keep things smooth and stress-free.  

Here are 5 easy ways to avoid conflicts: 

(A fast, fuss-free guide to meeting records for strata and community schemes) 

Taking minutes doesn’t need to be a headache or take all night. Whether you’re in a self-managed strata or community scheme, or just an active committee who undertake their own meetings, the aim is simple: record what was decided and who will do it. That’s it. Minutes are not a novel; they’re a record. 

General meetings are where big decisions get made, budgets, by-laws, repairs, and even litigation. If there’s something you want the scheme to decide on, the way to make it happen is by putting forward a motion….

Once upon a time, if you wanted to attend a strata meeting, it meant hauling yourself at 6:30 pm on a wet Tuesday night into a community hall, library room, or down in the basement carpark (with you skipping back and forth to keep the sensor light on). Then came COVID-19, Zoom, Teams, Skype and the age of virtual everything. But what about strata meetings? Can you legally meet online? And are the rules the same in every state? 

Running a strata scheme involves many decisions from approving budgets to authorising repairs or updating by-laws. These decisions are usually made through voting at general meetings or by written/electronic ballot. But here’s the catch: if the voting process isn’t handled properly….

If you own an apartment, townhouse, or villa in a strata scheme, chances are you’ve heard whispers about the infamous strata meeting. Maybe you’ve even received a politely worded notice inviting (or is it summoning?) you to an Annual General Meeting (AGM).  

The ultimate guide for strata, community, and company title leaders who want order… and maybe even smiles. 

So, you’ve drawn the short straw (or bravely volunteered) to chair the meeting. Congratulations! You now hold the gavel of power… or, more realistically, the pen you’ll tap on the table to get everyone’s attention. Chairing a meeting doesn’t have to feel like herding cats. With the right approach, you can run a meeting that’s productive, on time, and (dare we say) enjoyable. 

Let’s be honest: receiving a strata meeting notice doesn’t exactly spark joy. For many of us, it’s right up there with tax return instructions and assembling flat-pack furniture. But before you glaze over and bury it under a pile of takeaway menus or delete into your email bin, give it a second look. That notice holds more power than you think it tells you when big (and small) decisions about your building will be made, and whether your voice gets heard or drowned out. 

With a little planning, a clear agenda, and a good grasp of your legal obligations, you can run a smooth, productive meeting that sets your scheme up for success.

Running a self-managed scheme is a great way to save on management fees and stay directly involved in how your building is run. But with that independence comes responsibility especially when it comes to keeping proper records. 

Good record-keeping isn’t just a legal requirement under strata and community scheme laws in every Australian state and territory it’s also your best defence against disputes, confusion, and headaches down the track. 

Here’s a simple guide for small, self-managed schemes. 

Ready to make sense of how strata committees work? Whether you’re thinking about getting involved or just want to know who’s handling your building’s decisions, here’s what you need to know in a simple, format. 

Strata and community title living is an increasingly popular choice across Australia, offering shared amenities, maintained common areas, and a built-in sense of community. However, behind the scenes of every well-run strata or community scheme lies a framework of clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Understanding who does what is essential for smooth operation, effective decision-making, and harmonious living.